MPAA Rating: PG-13/ Genre: Superhero/ Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas, Kathryn Newton, David Dastmalchian, William Jackson Harper, Katy O’Brian, Bill Murray, Corey Stoll, Randall Park, Gregg Turkington, Ruben Rabasa/Runtime: 124 minutes

Alright so before I go any further in this review, I think I should just get one thing out of the way right off the bat. That being the fact that it really doesn’t matter what I have to say about this distinct slice of cinema. Not because I didn’t put any effort into writing this review for you (believe me I did) nor is it because I always enjoy reading and hearing your opinions more than I ever will my own. Rather, it is because this slice of cinema is one that fits the definition of being “critic-proof”. That, in case you didn’t know, is a special kind of film that, no matter how we in the film reviewing community view it in terms of quality, will almost certainly still get people’s butts in seats (as for if that seat is in your local movie theater or in the comfort of your own home this is entirely up to you). Perhaps the best example of this phenomenon is in regards to horror films. I mean there are some absolutely terrible horror films out there (2012’s Ouija for example) and yet these movies still somehow made a pretty nice chunk of change for their lack of creative effort because people love to be “scared” (go figure). At any rate, the reason I bring this phenomenon up to you dear reader is because I also think movies set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have also managed to become examples of this category as well. Of course, this makes sense seeing as how this distinct universe has managed to grow and expand in the years since Robert Downey Jr. first declared “I am Iron Man” at the end of the first Iron Man in 2008, the cinematic takes on these iconic comic book characters to say nothing of the actors/actresses portraying them have managed to acquire a nice little global fandom of sorts. Thus, when coupled with a built-in desire to see where this universe plans to go next, it is safe to say that whenever a new entry in this franchise hits theaters you can bet there will be people around the planet who will go and check it out regardless of what a comically cynical and grumpy critic like myself has to say about it. With that in mind, this now brings us to the latest entry in this franchise, and slice of cinema I am reviewing for you today, in the form of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (sounds like an abandoned subtitle for a scrapped Crash Bandicoot game from back in the day) and honestly….I don’t get all the hate dear reader. I mean don’t get me wrong: this isn’t full-blown excellent by any means, but I do feel like this one is nowhere near as bad as it could have been especially with it being the cinematic introduction to the iconic Marvel character Kahn ehhh Kanos ehhh Kang (there we go; knew I would get it eventually) thus making for a Marvel film that might be different, but not in a way that is highly detrimental to the franchise at large.

The plot is as follows: Picking up in the aftermath (as to be expected) of the Battle of Earth from Avengers: Endgame, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania gets underway by finding Scott Lang’s life in a rather distinct and unusual positive place. Indeed not only is he now somewhat of a celebrity due to his efforts in protecting the Earth as one of the Avengers, but he has also penned a book about his various shenanigans whilst palling around with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to say nothing of having a solid and loving relationship with girlfriend/superhero partner Hope, her parents Janet and Hank, and his now-18 year old daughter Cassie. Yet even though life is good for our tiny yet mighty hero, we see that there are some hints of potential problems on the surface. Namely not only that Janet, despite some time having come and gone since her rescue, is still proving to be extremely reticent to discuss the time she spent in the infamous Quantum Realm, but also that Cassie seems to have inherited a bit of her father’s flair for less than legal activities to an extent. Yet it’s other aspects of Cassie’s life that might be a bit of an issue. That being that Cassie, much like the man she dotingly refers to as “Uncle Hank”, has started to really become an extremely talented member of that distinct community known as scientists. As such, we soon see that, whilst visiting with Hank and Janet one day, Cassie finally shows off her latest science project which takes the shape and form of a device that is able to attempt communication with any organisms that might be inside the Quantum Realm. Yet, rather than treat her device like an astonishing and remarkable success, we see that Janet has quite the opposite reaction. Namely one that seems to be an equal mix of fear, trepidation, and severe anxiety and which also sees her desperately try to get the device shut down. Unfortunately for her and the rest of the group, we see that it isn’t long before something receives Cassie’s message and decides to send one of their own which sees the five pulled through a portal and sent deep into the Quantum Realm itself. Upon their arrival, we see that group is split in two as Scott and Cassie are located by native beings of the realm whilst the other three decide to explore a vast city of sorts in an attempt to get some answers. Yet it will be Scott and Cassie who find one answer that is particularly more noteworthy than others. That being the answer to the question of “What Janet was so scared of?”. An answer incidentally that takes the shape and form of a ruthless tyrannical being known as Kang the Conqueror. A being who also has some dire plans that put not just the Quantum Realm, but also all of space and time at risk. That is unless Ant-Man and the rest of the group can put a stop to his twisted machinations first……

Now right off the bat, I should say that if you go into this third installment and expect it to be the same ol, same ol as its predecessors from 2015 and 2018 respectively then you might be in for a shock here. Indeed I say that because this slice of cinema manages to cut out the low-ball stakes that were at the heart of the first two movies in order to provide us an entry that, through its adventure in the Quantum Realm plot, feels more like a movie in the vein of Fantastic Voyage from 1966. By doing this, we see that this slice of cinema must unfortunately push to the side certain standout characters from the first two like Luis in order to ensure the film can concentrate as much as possible on the core 5 at the heart of the film whilst also operating as a iconic intro of sorts to the MCU’s newest overarching menace. Yet while in some ways this is a potential positive, there is also a way that it is a fairly significant negative. That being that the first two Ant-Man films were distinct in the MCU due to both the low degree of stakes as well as the fact that the majority of characters in its corner of the universe were merely human beings rather than superheroic individuals. However, because so little of this film takes place outside the titular realm, it does also drain the film to a degree of the things that made the first two work on the level that they did. Now along with that, I have no doubt that this film will undoubtedly be compared to both Star Wars and, of all things, Rick and Morty in equal measure. Yet although these comparisons are, to an extent, fair to make, they also underestimate the distinct type of zany and quirky oddity in terms of the visuals that is on display here. If anything, I would say this film is a lot more reminiscent to me of the goofy and schlocky sci-fi movies that were all over the place at the time Ant-Man made his comic book debut. Yet although there will be quite a few of you whose degree of acceptance for this film might vary based off my comparison, I can say that it’s a comparison that, between the downright weird visuals and running gags, more or less helps the film rather than detracts from it. Indeed in many respects, this film feels less like a motion picture and more like someone found a long lost comic from the Silver or Bronze Age of Comics and proceeded to bring it to life. Along with all of that though, it would speak ill of me not to take some time to talk to you about some of the other equally as incredible work done behind the camera. Indeed not only is the cinematography downright impressive, but the costume department here is next level (especially the costume for Kang which I will definitely wager is going to sell Disney quite a few toys now and as we make our way to the next two Avengers films here in a couple of years). More than anything though, the element that really unites all of these elements is the musical accompaniment from the brilliant Christophe Beck which does a grand job at giving a rather distinct voice to everything we are seeing unfolding before us. Suffice it to say that yes there are some issues behind the camera that might rub people who loved the first 2 Ant-Man movies the wrong way, but for everyone else there is a fair bit to appreciate and enjoy as well.

Of course, the other big component to this film working on the level that I feel it (ultimately) does is the fact that the performances by the cast in front of the camera are, more or less, genuinely good in their own right. I say more or less because there is one performance that I would like to address before I go any further and that would be Corey Stoll in the role of M.O.D.O.K. I say this because, no offense to Mr. Stoll and his performance, but the way that the MCU presents us with this character is pure Grade-A nightmare fodder. I mean Stoll does the best he can at playing literally a murderous floating head, but that character design is just pure cringe at best and insomnia-inspiring at worst. With that in mind, I will say that the work done by the rest of the cast is really good here with a few caveats. For starters Paul Rudd, as one of the titular heroes, once again does a wonderful job at bringing Scott Lang to life complete with his usual mix of affability, decency, and quippy humor. Yet in this one, unlike the other two, we also get to see a serious side to Scott as well especially in regards to some of his scenes that he has with daughter Cassie who, as played here by MCU newcomer Kathryn Newton, is portrayed fairly well here despite the change-up in terms of screen talent playing her. We also see that Michael Douglas, also returning as Hank Pym, also does really good work here. Indeed not only does Douglas look like he is having an absolute blast, but he also gets one moment here that will definitely make you cheer. Unfortunately, there is a bit of shortchanging which does occur in this film particularly with the character of Hope. This is because since the vast majority of her story here deals with trying to reconnect with her mom, it doesn’t give Lilly much else to do besides wait to make an impact during the third act of the film. Now, ever since 2018, I think it can safely be said that one of the biggest wastes that the MCU had to its name was that it wasn’t utilizing screen icon Michelle Pfieffer as well as it ought to. Thankfully with this film that definitely changes this as not only do we get to excitedly see Pfeiffer go into warrior woman mode at key points, but she also gets to shine in the moments where the movie tries to shine a light on just what occurred to her during the three decades that she was trapped in Jumanji ehhh the Quantum Realm. Of course, the question you are probably asking is: how is Jonathan Majors in the role of Kang the Conqueror? Well let me put it this way: we may have got a slim chance to see what Majors can do in the MCU during his appearance in a certain show on Disney Plus (you didn’t think I’d actually reveal which one did you?) and the first half of the film may be spent effectively building him up, but once he shows up Majors in every way possible proves to be both riveting and horrifying in equal measure. Indeed he is a true scene stealer in every sense of the word and it’s going to be quite something to see what he does with the role moving forward. Suffice it to say that when you also factor in performances from Bill Murray, in a quirky yet delightful 15-minute guest spot, and William Jackson Harper among others the cast here manages to do really good all things considered.

All in all I’m not going to lie to you dear reader: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is by no means the worst slice of superhero cinema that Marvel has put out for the masses since Eternals (a film I am still convinced would have worked out a lot better had it been a limited series rather than a movie). At the same time though, there are elements to this that do make me more than just a tad bit concerned for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and as such I am hoping they take what I am about to say to heart: PLEASE SLOW DOWN. Indeed what made the MCU so special and regarded in the first place was the fact that they actually took the time to make sure each cinematic project they made and subsequently brought to viewers across the planet was no less than the highest degree of quality imaginable. Ever since Avengers: Endgame in 2019 however, it seems like Marvel has been in much more a hurry to get as many projects out in a calendrical year as possible which really has affected to a degree the quality of the projects released in that time frame. Yet even with this rushed schedule in place, there is no denying that there is a fair bit to enjoy about this slice of superhero cinema. Indeed when looking at this film from a overarching point of view, I think I can safely said that there is a significant amount of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania which either should not be able to work or just fall flat on its face period. With that in mind, I should point out that there is just the right amount of material here that works on the necessary level in order to ensure that giving this view is most assuredly worth your while. Indeed, even when taking into account the various flaws afoot in this entry, there is no denying that this slice of cinema operates in such a way that you feel like you are passionately enthralled by a long-lost comic from the Bronze Age of comics absolutely relishing whatever narrative threads or wild and crazy visuals await you in those precious pages. Suffice it to say that when you incorporate some truly distinct work from the cast of performers in front of the camera (especially Jonathan Majors who is a clear standout in the role of the MCU’s new big bad Kang), a clear and passionate love and admiration for some of the zanier avenues to be located in the realm of sci-fi, and a skirmish that is sure to have repercussions across the MCU for quite some time to come, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania might not be a genuinely great film, but it is also an engagingly quirky and bizarre entry in the grand scheme of things in the MCU. On a scale of 1-5 I give Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania a solid 3.5 out of 5.